Treatment for bruxism depends on the cause, symptoms and severity. “Not all bruxism requires treatment,” emphasises Prof. Türp. Treatment is necessary primarily if there is pain in the chewing muscles or jaw joints, or severe dental wear.
According to Prof. Türp, the primary approach is a three-pronged strategy known as the SMS method.
Self-monitoring (‘S’)
Many people unconsciously clench their teeth during the day. Bruxism expert Prof. Türp recommends the following exercise to help them notice when they do it:
- Use sticky dots: place coloured sticky dots on items you frequently look at in your everyday life (e.g. a mirror, a window or the inside of a cupboard) for two to three days.
- Check: every time you look at a dot, ask yourself: are my teeth touching right now?
- Check your jaw posture: when relaxed, there is usually a small gap between the upper and lower teeth. If your teeth regularly touch, it is a sign of unconscious clenching.
Bonus tip: frequently keep a piece of chewing gum or a cherry pit in your mouth during the day. This helps keep your jaw relaxed and reduces contact between your upper and lower teeth. This will prevent you from unconsciously clenching your teeth as often.
Muscle relaxation (‘M’)
As stress and tension can exacerbate teeth clenching and grinding, Prof. Türp recommends regular relaxation exercises such as Jacobson’s progressive muscle relaxation technique.
Splints (‘S’) or mouth guard
Wearing an occlusal splint, commonly known as a mouth or night guard, when sleeping protects the teeth against wear (attrition) and distributes the forces generated more evenly.
The Michigan splint is considered the gold standard for anyone over the age of 16, whereas a softer splint is recommended for adolescents.
Splints are custom-made and adjusted by dentists with the help of a dental laboratory. They protect the teeth and help to relieve strain on the chewing muscles and jaw joints.
Prof. Türp strongly advises against off-the-shelf splints bought online. Non-custom products can lead to undesired, potentially permanent issues.
How much does a Michigan splint (‘occlusal splint’) cost?
Depending on the amount of work involved and the region, a Michigan splint (‘occlusal splint’) costs between 500 and 800 francs in Switzerland. The dentist’s fee is charged on top of this.
Four appointments are usually required: the splint is fitted and adjusted at the second appointment, followed by two check-up appointments.
Basic health insurance does not usually cover these costs. Supplementary dental insurance may contribute towards the cost of the splint, depending on the policy.
Further treatments for teeth grinding
If a patient is experiencing severe symptoms, additional measures may be useful, including:
- Self-massage of the chewing muscles
- Jaw-focused physiotherapy
- Muscle relaxant medication
- Low-level laser therapy
According to Prof. Türp, botulinum toxin (‘Botox’) should only be used in stubborn cases when the aforementioned treatments have not been effective enough.
